Legends of the Fall: Our own mortality is looming
The movie Legends of the Fall is a fantastic tale of manhood. Gorgeously shot, and wonderfully told, that story follows a man through his entire life, with heartbreak and victory and struggle. Rather than parallel the story too closely, I thought that this month, we could explore together a few of the themes that the movie illustrates, and look at how they can apply to our own wild lives.
Our own mortality is at hand.
“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”
― Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
Listen – the day will come when you will cast off your mortal manly coil and die.
I believe that first comes death, and then comes judgment – we will face our maker and either heaven or hell. What you believe is between you and your maker, and I’ll leave it at that.
Regardless of your belief – the truth is – if all of us lived with our end in mind – we’d live differently.
Are we going to live like it matters? Are we going to live like today is our last?
Nickelback is simultaneously the most loved and the most hated band in America – but their song sums it up well.
“If Today Was Your Last Day”
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day
Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day
